TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn scored three runs in the seventh inning to come from behind and take game one from Emporia State 5-4 on Friday evening. The Ichabods will look to secure the series in game two at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
After a scoreless first inning the Hornets (31-14, 18-13 MIAA) were able to walk the bases loaded in the second inning, slashing a single into right to score two runs. Kai Bennett settled in on the mound after the second tossing scoreless third and fourth innings. A one-out single from Jack Borgmann followed by a stolen base put him in scoring position. Jackson Mervosh cashed in with a single to left field, scoring Borgmann to put Washburn (19-26, 15-16 MIAA) on the board.
A leadoff double came around to score for Emporia State after moving to third and taking the last 90 feet on a throw down to second base for a stolen base attempt. An error in the outfield allowed Owen Laessig to reach second base with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. Trenton Barry followed with a double to the outfield wall, scoring a run to make it a 3-2 game.
The Hornets responded back with one run in the sixth on a leadoff double and scoring the run on an RBI groundout. Griffin Huiatt finished his outing out of the bullpen by throwing a scoreless seventh inning. In the home half Laessig was hit by a pitch before scoring on a triple into the right field corner by Barry. Ian Luce followed with a single up the middle to tie the game. Borgmann slashed a double and Levi Risenhoover lifted a sacrifice fly to score Luce and take a 5-4 lead.
Fidel Hatch took over on the mound with one out in the eighth and retired both batters he faced to strand one. He stayed on the mound in the ninth, retiring the Hornets in order with one strikeout to take game one of the series.
Washburn led 10-7 in hits while also having a 7-2 advantage in walks. Three pitchers combined to go the distance for the Ichabods. Kai Bennett went 4.2 innings with three strikeouts. Griffin Huiatt earned the win throwing 2.1 innings with one earned run. Fidel Hatch picked up his team-leading second save tossing the final 1.2 innings with two strikeouts.
Jack Borgmann went 4-4 at the plate with a double and scored a run. Trenton Barry went 2-5 with a pair of extra-base hits and plating two runs. Ian Luce extended his on-base streak to 45-games going 1-4 with an RBI.
